The fortunes of Microsoft, hardware manufacturers, and computer makers from all around the world are closely tied together. When Microsoft offers popular software, such as a new version of its Windows operating system, sales of PCs can increase significantly.

Dong-soo, a Samsung executive, recently said that Windows 8 is "no better than the previous Windows Vista platform", according to Forbes. The exec also blamed the poor sales of ultrabooks on the "less competitive Windows platform."

Due to the disappointing adoption of Windows 8, Samsung is focusing the attention of its memory fabrication business to mobile chips instead of traditional memory used in notebooks and desktops.

However, Forbes puts a different spin on the “poor” memory market with the keen assertion that Windows 8 lacks the bloat that requires such high amounts of memory as in previous versions of the operating system.

While reducing the amount of bloat in the operating system is a good thing for consumers, obviously memory makers don't feel the same way. An operating system that needs less memory means less profit and sales for these memory makers.

The purpose of the operating system is really to serve as a way to make use of the computer hardware, so applications sit on top of the OS. Now, if applications are being toned down so they can run on much lower end machines, including game consoles and tablets, this means you don't NEED a higher end computer to run anything.

Quickbooks doesn't require all that much by modern standards, most people don't bother with applications like Photoshop since many of the most commonly used features are put into cameras and phones today, and then CAD doesn't NEED the highest end machines anymore.

Basically, to push PC sales, and memory demand, more and more intensive applications are needed, but what is pushing the limits at this point? Games have been a "lowest common denominator" environment for years now, where game designers are targeting the console market, and limiting what games require or even use so they can make the same title for the console as they do for the PC.

Multi-threading as well, you don't see games pushing it where you WANT an 8-core processor, or at least one that uses hyper threading.

Overall though, most people can use an 11" Windows 8 Pro Tablet. The problem is Win8 Pro tablets are currently expensive. It will probably be a year before the price comes down to $700 for a Win8 Pro tablet with a cellular connection, 256 GB mSSD, 8 GB RAM, Intel Haswell 4 core CPU, USB 3.0x, VGA and mini-HDMI:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Connectors

One application which requires a tablet is travel. If you wish to travel, you really must have a tablet. Laptops are simply too heavy to carry around along with all your other things.

Let's hope Lenovo comes out with a tablet with all the above features, including the ability for the user to replace the RAM and mSSD himself.

Finally, I want to comment on Windows 8 Pro which is included with new desktops and laptops. Desktops and most laptops do not have a touchscreen. Win8 Pro is simply not meant for these devices. Whenever I look at new laptops, Win8 is a major reason for me not to purchase it. Microsoft's brand nomenclature is also confusing. I cannot tell if Windows 8 RT is included which I don't want, or Windows 8 Pro is included which I do want.

quote: One application which requires a tablet is travel. If you wish to travel, you really must have a tablet. Laptops are simply too heavy to carry around along with all your other things.

Not true, I spend 50% of my time on the road and looked at getting a tablet of some kind when my last laptop was getting long in the tooth. The problem is that none of them really were versatile enough for what I do, and some of them (iPad especially) are little more than expensive toys and book readers.